Chris answered readers' questions Oct. 14, 2016

Are the other DE options that bad that Evan Jones is starting? He seems to me to get no pressure on any play and is a 5 year benchwarmer who is thrown in there just because he's a senior any talks about Kings and Robertson getting more time

by buster10/14/2016 5:42:04 PM

That DE situation is certainly a problem. Jones is a program guy, shifted from TE, but King and Robertson are the future and playing for a reason as true freshmen. Have to maintain gaps, though, to stay on field.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:42:50 PM

Let's see some passes to FB Prescott Line once in awhile maybe?

by Bobby10/14/2016 5:42:57 PM

I'll slip a note under the coaches' door tomorrow.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:43:12 PM

#BRINGHOMEENOS

by Tony10/14/2016 5:43:25 PM

Just liked that hashtag.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:43:37 PM

Chris, how close is O'Connor to Maxwell in demeanor? Whether people liked Cook or not, the kid had an edge to his attitude and seemed confident, even after a bone head decision. TOC seems eaten up by it.

by VASpartan10/14/2016 5:43:39 PM

O'Connor is in that Cousins/Maxwell school of personality, for sure. But that means nothing if the production is there, as evidenced by Cousins' numbers that Cook broke.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:44:33 PM

Looks like the young "Fearsome Foursome" with some more experience is going to be a force on the DL... but at the same time... it looks like the O-Line is wide open for new blood... do you see MSU really targeting big, strong O-Linemen for future roles on the team?

by MSU '8110/14/2016 5:44:43 PM

Higby and Chewins have bright futures, and Dantonio said Lukusa could play more this week. That's three true and redshirt freshmen right there at a spot where guys take time to develop typically. Bodes well for next few years. Always on hunt for OL because of injury risk and demands.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:45:44 PM

I'm very nervous about Michigan coming to EL this year. I know that coach D lives for this game, but do you think we might be outclassed this year?

by Scott Zugel10/14/2016 5:45:46 PM

Northwestern. Maryland. You should be more concerned about those game right now. Coaches are.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:46:16 PM

I don't want to be a witch hunt guy but I do have to agree to an extent with the Warner criticism. I understand it was him in 2013, 2014 and 2015 but this isn't the same team as then either. I think there is less room for error and warts can show a bit. No logical reason to take a strategy that works (produces scoring drives) then inexplicably go away from it and never return until the end of the game when its too late. They did that with IU as well.

by BK10/14/2016 5:46:24 PM

And there's a learning curve for coaches with new personnel in games, too. It's not all or even predominantly Warner's fault. When they say shared blame, it's true when you watch the games back.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:47:10 PM

Dantonio said earlier this was the deepest team he's ever had. And the next-man-up theory only works if the next-man-up doesn't suck. Is Dantonio over-confident on the depth of talent on this team?

by WISparty10/14/2016 5:47:15 PM

"Doesn't suck" doesn't mean "doesn't have experience." It's how that next man up learns and develops.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:47:46 PM

Coach D could keep Warner as the QB Coach... and hire a new OC... it is possible to do both you know?

by MSU '8110/14/2016 5:48:01 PM

Rare to see demotions like that and a coach stick around.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:48:16 PM

Chris, sorry, 3rd and 2 is not a running scenario. Period.

by VASpartan10/14/2016 5:48:38 PM

1 1/2 yards and a cloud of dust is not the saying.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:48:47 PM

Chris... not having a lockdown corner... or corners... is what is also affecting the sack count... Narduzzi (when he had the corners) used to dial up the LBs and DLs to smother the QBs... now MSU must play soft zones and can't get to the QBs... I remember you saying at one time... "it all starts with the cornerbacks."

by MSU '8110/14/2016 5:49:07 PM

Other way around. Don't know what you have at CB without pressure. Johnny Adams looked good when the pressure was getting home to the QB.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:49:44 PM

And if I said it starts with the CBs, that was meant as coverage. But getting pressure is critical.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:50:43 PM

What are your odds on MSU winning out to save their season... and in the process make their fans feel better about the program? ("1,000,000 to one huh? So yer sayin' there's still a chance?")

by MSU '8110/14/2016 5:50:48 PM

They can lose every game, Jeezz Chris. C'mon

by VASpartan10/14/2016 5:50:49 PM

I don't think either of these things happen. It's slightly more likely they could lose them all with the offensive questions and injuries right now. But again, this team needs to beat Northwestern first after losing to BYU and Indiana. Digest that.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:51:43 PM

A lot of it is where the freshman are playing. Tough to be a big ugly when you are still a little ugly.

by BK10/14/2016 5:51:48 PM

A lot of truth to this.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:51:53 PM

Is there anyone in the West Division that is a legitimate threat to the East? I look at the conference alignment and wonder if there will ever be any changes made. MSU, OSU, UM, PSU, etc. compared to an annual battle between Nebraska and Wisconsin. Kind of uneven.

by Scott Zugel10/14/2016 5:52:05 PM

Wisconsin and Nebraska are both threats right there.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:52:28 PM

OK Chris... you and Rexrode from the 3-point circle... who makes the most out of 10?

by MSU '8110/14/2016 5:52:28 PM

Me. Joe and Graham have the height edge, not shooting touch.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:53:01 PM

I read Craig Evans admitted to being dismissed for failing a drug test, have you heard any other reasons for the significant attrition on the DL (Peat, Enoch Smith, and Montez Sweat) before the season?

by Dizzle10/14/2016 5:53:06 PM

The coinciding timing of Evans and Sweat leaving, days before the spring game, seems like something. Peat and Smith, though, was during camp while competing for jobs at a thin position.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:54:10 PM

MSU was much better when Joe was covering the beat. Is it you, Chris?

by VASpartan10/14/2016 5:55:47 PM

Joe's first year at the Freep was 2012. How soon you forget.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:55:57 PM

MM has been a non-factor this year. Do you think he's cashed it in and is trying just to survive this season for the draft?

Terry seems like the starter. If Terry struggles, Lewerke next or will they go back to TOC? What say you all?

by VASpartan10/14/2016 5:56:37 PM

If O'Connor starts, will the fans boo?

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:56:49 PM

What about Lyles to DE again? Its not like he's an NFL TE, and he's gotta be better than anything at DE right now.

by markymark10/14/2016 5:56:54 PM

Hard to say that without getting TEs the ball more often. Terry found him last week. Way too underutilized.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:57:18 PM

I don't understand why they would start Oconner the rest of the season.. They should develop a younger talent to gain confidence and learning experience for next year whether that is Lewrke or Terry.. obvious Oconner isn't the difference make to win games .. just my $.02

by buster10/14/2016 5:57:45 PM

If he's the best option to win games right now, then he'll start.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:58:00 PM

Have you heard anything about Noah Listermann? I thought he was a guy that OSU was after...

by Dizzle10/14/2016 5:58:05 PM

He's a redshirt freshman and still developing. Not much about him recently. Will ask Staten next time we get him.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:58:56 PM

fyi i don't blame everything on Oconner it seems to me they need to play for a run next season the goals they set are unachievable

by buster10/14/2016 5:59:12 PM

There will still be a lot of youth next year at key spots. I get the developmental concept, but 2-3 can turn into 2-9 in a hurry if the QB isn't ready.

by Chris Solari10/14/2016 5:59:49 PM

OK guys, time for me to fly here. Back to 1 p.m. Thursday next week. Surely, we'll have a ton of things to talk about. Maybe one of you will be QB by then. Until then!